_Zhev._ I ... you know ... I saw an advertisement about something.... I thought I might as well look in.... It’s such fine weather to-day, and the grass is growing so nicely along the road.... _Arìna._ And your name, if you please? _Zhev._ Retired naval lieutenant Baltazàr Baltazàrovich Zhevàkin, Number 2. There was another Zhevàkin in the service, but he retired before I did; he got a wound in the knee, and the ball went through it such an odd way—it didn’t touch the knee itself, but it injured a vein, and drew it all up, so that, if you were standing near him, it always seemed as if he were going to kick you. _Arìna._ Be so kind as to sit down. (_To_ ANOÙCHKIN.) May I ask the reason—— _Anoùch._ As a neighbour ... as I live so very near ... you see—— _Arìna._ Perhaps you live in widow Touloùbova’s house opposite? _Anoùch._ No—n—no; I live at Peskì just now, but I have the intention of moving to this quarter of the town sooner or later. _Arìna._ Be so kind as to sit down. (_To_ KOCHKARYÒV.) Allow me to ask—— _Koch._ Why, surely you recognise me? (_Turns to_ AGÀFIA.) And you, madam? _Agàfia._ I—I—don’t remember ever seeing you. _Koch._ Why, think a minute; I’m sure we’ve met somewhere. _Agàfia._ I don’t know, really. Was it at the Biriòushkins’? _Koch._ Of course it was! _Agàfia._ Oh! do you know what’s happened to her? _Koch._ Of course I do—she’s married. _Agàfia._ Oh no! that would be nothing; but she’s broken her leg. _Arìna._ And very badly too. She was coming home late at night in a _drozhki_, and the coachman was tipsy and overturned it. _Koch._ Ah! yes; I remember, of course; I knew she’d got married, or broken her leg, or something of that kind! _Arìna._ And your name? [Illustration: ARÌNA: “WHAT IS THE GENTLEMAN’S NAME?” KOCHKARYÒV: “PODKOLYÒSSIN—IVÀN KOUZMÌCH PODKOLYÒSSIN.” ] _Koch._ My name? Why Ilia Fòmich Kochkaryòv. We’re almost relations, you know. My wife is always talking about—but allow me, allow me. (_Takes PODKOLYÒSSIN by the arm and leads him forward._) My friend Ivàn Kouzmìch Podkolyòssin, aulic counsellor, sub-director in a Department. It’s he that does all the business and manages everything in the most admirable way. _Arìna._ What is the gentleman’s name? _Koch._ Podkolyòssin—Ivàn Kouzmìch Podkolyòssin. The director is simply put there as a figure head: all the business is done by Ivàn Kouzmìch. _Arìna._ Indeed? Be so kind as to sit down. (_Enter_ STARIKÒV.) _Star._ (_bows to the company in a rapid, off-hand, business manner, with one arm akimbo_). Arìna Pantelèymovna, how do you do, little mother? The lads on the Arcade told me that you had some wool to sell. _Agàfia_ (_turning her back contemptuously and speaking under her breath, but so that he hears_). This isn’t a stall in a bazaar! _Star._ Oh, oh! Seems I’ve come at the wrong time! I doubt you’ve settled your business without me.